It is now known that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and other Wagner commander five days after the mercenary group called off its attempted coup.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin gave an assessment of what Wagner has done in Ukraine, as well as their short-lived revolt. Peskov also said that the Wagner forces swore loyalty to their motherland. Putin offered them further employment and use in combat.
The confirmed meeting further confuses the Wagner revolt. Prior to marching towards Moscow, Prigozhin referred to Putin inadequate and called for the defense minister to be replaced. Putin, in turn, branded Prigozhin as a traitor and levied a since-dropped criminal case against him.
The fate of the Wagner leader remains unclear, but the report of this meeting is seen as Russia’s attempt to project stability after a chaotic spell.